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Apr. 17, 1923. 1,452,331

F. J. WOLFF BLANK, TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR SAGGER MAKING MACHINES FiledMay '7, 1920 Patented Apr. 17, 1923.

l r I 52331 FBANKLYN J. 'WOLFF, OF TRENTON, NEW JERSEY. I

BLnnK-rnnnsrnn /rnonanrsiu non meaning/init ate arr'nonrnns.

Application filed lw'iay 7, 1920. Serial No. 379549.

To a-ZZ w/mm it may concern."

Beitlruoivn'tha'tFRANKLYN J ower, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at "Trenton,- in the county of Mercer ia'nd State ofNew Jerse'y,hasinvented new hind "l'usefu'l Improvements inBlank-Transfer Mechanism for Sagger-Making 'Machines; o' t'wvh ich theixillovving is a specifimum; I

- In the construction of saggers, employed in the pottery art ascontainers or protectors for articles during the baking or annealingoperation, it has been found expedient as a means for" securing Walls ofhomogeneous structureco' tem'p'lati'nga body or vehicle of 'clay', orits equiv'alent, with a granular filler uniformly distributeda'ntl'thoroughly incorporated to produce from the batch a sheet orcontinuous sl'ab of the required thickness and yvidth by forcing theplastic material directly from the mining apparatus through aprogressively modified reformmechanism and transferring it expeditiouslyand without risk of distortion, strain, or fracture to an assembling ordelivery station in proper position and condition to be handled manuallyin the hlrther pursuance of the operation of assembling; and incidentally to facilitate the placing of the blanks in a smooth and 'normalcondition upon pallets so that they may be moved by hand in arrangingthe blanks in their proper relative position to formsaggers, and to atfect a transfer of the blanks iron. the table at the receiving stationto suitable reversing mechanism and from the reversing mechanism toatable orlike support or rest at the delivery station With a minimum ofresistance and Without-involvingor necessitating pushing or pullingstrains applied to the blank to overcome resistance caused by theoutletor noaalel'as disclosed in co-pend-. 'ing appliction No. 298,155filed May 19,

friction otthe slab with the supporting surtaceo'r to the 'stretching'im'aulse ot gravity,

and hen'ceyvithout tendency to modifyf'either the "shape or dimensionsof the blanks or sections during the interval between the de liveryotthe sheet or slab from the forming mechanism and the deposit ofthes'ame' at the dellv'ery station, and durniga'vhich interval thelocating of the blank upon 'the pallet or carrying part is eflectejd.

Vith this and related objects in view as will appear in the course ofthe following description of one embodiment of the invention, the sameconsists of a construction, combination and relation of parts disclosedin the accompanying drawings, it being understood that changes informfproportion and details of arrangement may be resorted *to Withinthe scope of the appended "claims, without departing from the principleinvolved.

Inthe drawings Flgiure lyis a plan View of the blank transferringapparatus sho \vmg the same in operative relation with the sheet orslab'formmg mechanism;

Figure 2'is an elevation ofthe reversing mechanism in its position inoperation or receiving position in relation tothe sheet formingmechanism. I

i Figure 3 is an end viewshowingthe delivery station and its relatedparts in side elevation and the reversing mechanism in the'positionwhich it "occupiesvivhen receiv mg a blank from the sheet formingmechanism.

Figure 4 is a detail sectionalvieyv of one end of the reversingmechanism.

Figure 5 'i's a detail view of one of the pallets or carryingparts. i a

Figuretl is a detail-view of the preferred mounting of the carryingheels "which support the'reversing table Figure 7 is a; detail view inelevation of vthe delivery spout ornozzle of the' slieet or slab tormingmechanism viewing the same on a plane indicated by the lines of Figure ii I i t Figure 8 is a detail sectional view I plan n'dicated by thelines s sor Ff p e Figiirel l newsman vieiv slioWrngthe relation of thenozzle; the receiving table,

and the supporting Wheels of the, reversing mechanism.

The apparatus consists esse t tially of I a eee g j a 'q mdmt d t A andfdeh. Qty

station indicated at B and a reversing mechanism represented generallyat C, the receiving station being located in operative relation with asheet or slab forming mechanism indicated at D.

The sheet forming mechanism may consist of a pug mill 1() of anysuitable or well known construction designed to properly and thoroughlymix the ingredients entering into the composition of the sagger wallsand other elements and provided with an outlet or sheet forming spout ornozzle 11 through which the plastic material is ad vanced under suitablepressure to present it in the form of a continuous sheet or-slab to. thereceiving station which. in the construction illustrated consistsessentiallyof a table 12 provided with an endless carrier 13 in theform, for example, of an apron or conveyor carried by suitable rollers14: and disposed at a slight inclination downward in the directionindicated by the arrow (1 to the end that the sheet of material as itexudes from the nozzle is inclined to traverse the table progressivelyunder combined influence of the sheet forming pressure within theforming mechanism and gravity, in order that neither pushing nor pullingeffect may be produced or is necessary to induce or'cause suchprogressive movement, and hence in order that the possibility ofdistorting the sheet or slab either by condensing or stretching the samemay be minimized. It is proposed to secur an easy or free advance of thesheet or slab under conditions which will insure the accuratemaintenance of the dimensions as to thickness and width defined by theoutlet of the nozzle.

From time to time, as the sheet or slab advances upon the receivingtable, POFtiO'US thereof, suitable respectively to constitute blanks forthe walls of saggers, are detached from the sheet a-nd'moved from thereceiving table to a reversing table 13 forming a part of the reversingmechanism and also disposed preferably at a slight downward inclinationfrom the receiving end towards the opposite end. said reversing tablebeing movably supported by wheels 14 with relation to which thereceiving table occupies a substantially diametrical position, to theend that when the transfer mechanism is in the position indicated inFigures 1 and 2 in receiving relation with the receiving station. oneside of the reversing table will be uppermost, whereas when thereversing mechanism is moved upon its supporting wheels or rollers to aposition in operative relation with the delivery station as indicated indotted lines in Figure the uppermost section of the table will bedirected downwardly to eifect the transfer of an object supported by itsoriginal upper surface to a receiving surface represented in theconstruction illustrated by a transfer table 15 forming an element ofthe delivery station.

The reversing table preferably extends at one end through the opencenter of the supporting wheel which is adjacent to the receiving table12, as indicated in Figure 4 to the end that when the reversingmechanism is in the receiving position as shown in Figures 1 and 2, ablank separated from the sheet or slab on the carrier of the re ceivingtable may readily be transferred to a similar carrier 16 consisting ofan endless apron on the reversing table, and when this transfer to thereversingtable has been effected a pallet or carrying board 17, shown indetail in Figure 5 and stacked forthe convenience of the operator asshown in Figure 3 is placed with its uniform or smooth surface downwardupon the upper exposed surface of the blank as indicated in Figure 2 andis secured in such relation. to the blank by means of holding meansconsisting in the construction illustrated of pivotal clamping members18 mounted upon the reversing table for engagement with cars 19projecting laterally from the edges of the pallet.

The reversing mechanism is then moved upon its supporting wheels orrollers 14 from the receiving position indicated in figures 1 and 2 andin full lines in l igure 3 to the delivery position-indicated in dottedlines in Figure 3 in operative relation with the delivery station,during which movement the table 13 is reversed or inverted to disposethe previously placed pallet undermost. or in other words with the blankbearin upon and supported by the pallet, and in this relation of theparts the movement of the pallet from the reversing mechanism to a.delivery table 20 may be effected without disturbing or distorting theblank supported thereby. I

However, in order that the transfer of the blank carrying pallet fromthe reversing table to the delivery table 20 may be effected withoutjarring the pallet in such way as to involve the risk of distorting theblank, it is preferred to employ in connection with the delivery stationa transfer table 15 which is mounted to tilt upon an axis 21 supportedby suitable standards 22 with the end thereof which is adjacent to thedelivery table 2 counter-weighted or overbalanced so that such transfertable normally and yieldingly occupies the position indicated in fulllines in Figure The transfer table is preferably provided with a carrierof suitable antifrictional form such as the rollers 23 for receiving thepallet, and the receiving end of the transfer table. which is free to bedepressed. from the full line position indicated in Figure 3 to thedotted line position indicated in the same figure, and in the path ofwhich is arranged table from which it may be removed by attendantshaving the duty of assembling the ar or shock. As soon as the free outerend of the transfer table is relieved of the pressure of the reversingtable, or of such means in connection therewith as may serve to more thetransfer table to its blank receiving position (shown in dotted linesin'Figure 3) the counter-balanced inner end of the transfer table servesto return the latter to its normal position indicated in full lines inFigure 3 in which it is inclined slightly downward towards its deliveryend or that end which is adjacent to the delivery table 20, to the endthat the blank carrying pallet may be induced to move toward. thedelivery blanks to formsaggers.

In order that the blank carrying pallet after deposit upon the tiltingtransfer ta ble may be retained in position until the re lease of thelatter by the reversing mechanism may permit the return of the transfertable to its normal position. it is preferable to employ in connectionwith the transfer table a pallet holding means such as a retaining armprovided with detent 26 which is brought into operative relation withthe sur face of the transfer table by thev depression of the outer orreceivingend thereof, and which serves to engage thepallet and remain inengagement therewith during the 0 return movement ofthe transfer tableto its horizontal position.

In order that the locking of the pallet in position upon the reversingtable, in contact with the initially exposed or upper surface of theblank, and the disengagement of the pallet when it reaches the deliverystat-ion may be effected automatically, and without specific action onthe part of the operator, it is preferred to provide means in thenatureof trip mechanism for moving the locking members 1Sto theirdisengaged position at the limits of movement of progress of thereversing mechanism, said retaining arms being yieldingly propelledtoward pallet locking position by means of sprin 27, and in theconstruction illustrated such trip mechanism consists of flexiblerunners Q8 and 29 connected with the arms 18 and extending arounddirection pulleys 30 and guide pulleys 31, the portions of the runnersbetween the guide pulleys, in diametrically opposite positions withrelation to the carrier wheels, being exposed for contact withtripblocks 32 and 33 with which they en- "a e as the reversin mechanismrespectively reaches the limits of its movement in opposite directions.Obviously when the reversing mechanism reaches the receiving positionwith its table in registration with the receiving table 12 of thereceiving station,

the portion of the runner 28 between the guide pulleys 31 will come incontact with the stop 32 and thus retract the locking arms 18 to permitthe disposing of the pallet upon the blank resting upon the reversingtable with its ears disposed within the paths of said locking arms, andas the reversing mechanism is moved towards the delivery station saidlocking arms will be released and will engage the ears 19 to hold thepallet in blankreceiving position during the reversing operation. lVhenthe reversing mechanism reaches the delivery station and the transfertable is tilted as above described to receive the blank, thecorresponding portion of the runner 29 will engage the stop 33 and thusrelease the pallet to permit it to rest. upon the surface of thetransfer table from which itis conveyed as previously described to thedelivery table 20. p

In order that the movement of the reversing mechanism may be accuratelytimed and controlled with relation to the interval between the receivingand delivery stations, to the end that the operative parts or elementsof the mechanism may be in their proper relations respectively when thereversing mechanism reaches its limits of movement, it is preferable toemploy gear wheels as illustrated as the supporting elements of thereversing table; and racks or toothed tracks 34 for traverse by saidgears as clearly indicated in Figures 1, 3 and 6,

Moreover in order that the sheet or slab may be divided or slittedlongitudinally as it is discharged from the sheet forming nozzle, toproduce blanks of varyingwidths to suit saggers of different dimensionsand blanks inadapting them to the formation of saggers and likereceptacles of the vari- 'minimize the manual treatment of the ousdimensions required in the pottery art, I

it is preferable to provide the nozzle 11 at its orifice with aplurality of spaced seats 35 for the interchangeable or selectivereception of cutter wires 36 suspended from a suitable support 37 andprovided at their lower ends with suitable weights 38 or liketensioning'lneans. Obviously the construction indicated provides theoptional use of this slitting or longitudinally cutting means, and forthe arrangement of any desired number of the elements thereof in thedesired relative posit-ion to effect a slitting of the'sheet or slab toform strips of the re,- quired width from which the blanks" for saggersmay be subsequently detached by transverse cuts which obviously may beeffected by any suitable cutting tool not constituting a feature of thepresent invention.

The invention. having been described as being what is new and usefulis 1. A blank transferring and inverting apparatusfor sagger formingmechanisms having spaced receiving and delivery stations and a flatblank carrying table automatically reversible and movable between saidstations for successively conveying the blanks from the former to thelatter during the inversion thereof.

2. A blank transferring and inverting apparatus for sagger formingmechanisms having spaced receiving and delivery stations and a flatblank carrying table automatically reversible and movable between saidstations for successively conveying the blanks from the former to thelatter during the in version thereof and provided with means for holdinga pallet in contact with the initially exposed surface of a blank seatedon said table during the reversal of the latter.

3. A blank transferring apparatus having respectively receiving anddelivery stations and a reversible transfer table progressively movablebetween said stations during inversion, the delivery station having atilting-transfer table for arrangement in parallelism, with thereversible table at the delivery terminus of the progressive movement ofthe latter.

4. A blank transferring apparatus having respectively receiving anddelivery stations and a reversible transfer table progressively movablebetween said stations during inversion and provided with means forholding a pallet in receiving relation with a blank in transit betweenstations, the delivery station having a tilting transfer table forarrangement in parallelism with the reversible table at the deliveryterminus of the progressive movement of the latter.

5. A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism havingrespectively receiving and delivery stations and a reversible transfertable progressively movable between said stations, the delivery stationhaving a tilting transfer table for engagement by the reversible tableat the delivery terminus of its progressive movement.

6. A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism havingrespectively receiving and delivery stations and a reversible transfertable progressively movable between said stations. the delivery stationhaving a counter-balanced tilting transfer table for movement intoparallelism with the reversible table at the delivery terminus of theprogressive movement of the latter.

7. A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism having areversible progressively movable table for successively receiving theblanks from the sheet forming mechanism, a delivery table toward whichthe reversible table moves for deposit of the blanks and a tiltabletransfer table arranged inthe path of the reversible table forarrangement in receiving and delivering relations respectively withreference to the reversible table and the delivery table.

8. A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism having areversible progressively movable table for successively receiving theblanks from a sheet forming mechanism, a delivery table toward which thereversible table moves for deposit of the blanks, and a tiltabletransfer table arranged in the path of the reversible table forarrangement in receiving and delivering relations respectively inreference to the re versible table and the delivery table, and actua-bleby the reversible table to assume its receiving position.

9. A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism having areversible progressively movable table for successively receiving blanksfrom the sheet forming mechanism, and a delivery table toward which thereversible table moves for deposit of the blanks, and a tilting transfertable movable to receiving and delivering positions respectively inrelation to the reversible table and the delivery table, said transfertable being yieldingly held in one position and being actuable by thereversible table to assume the other position.

10. A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism having areversible progressively movable table for sue cessively receiving theblanks from a sheet forming mechanism, a delivery table towards whichthe reversible table moves for deposit of the blanks, and a tiltingtransfer table coiinter-weighted to occupy a delivery position inreference to the delivery table and actuable by the reversible table toassume a position in receiving relation to the latter. I 11. A blanktransferring apparatus for saggcr forming mechanism having a reversibleprogressively movable table for receiving blanks from a sheet formingmechanism, a delivery table towards whi ch the reversible table movesfor deposit of the blanks, a tilting transfer table movable to occupyreceiving and. delivering positions respectively in relation to saidreversible and delivery tables and pallet holding. means for engaging a.pallet superposed upon the transfer table.

12. A blank transferring apparatus for gger forming mechanism having arevers ible progressively movable table for successively recei ing lanksfrom a sheet forming mechanism. a delivery table toward which thereversible table moves for deposit of the'blanks, a tilting transfertable movable to occupy receiving and delivering posi tions respectivelyin relation to said reversible and delivery tables and actuable by thereversible table, and pallet holdng means for engaging a palletsuperposed upon the transfer table.

13. A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism having areversible progressively movable table for successively receivingblanks-from a sheet forming mechanism, a delivery. table toward whichthe reversible table moves for deposit of the blanks, a tilting transfertable movable to occupy receiving and delivering positions respectivelyin relation to said reversible and delivery tables, and pallet holdingmeans active when the transfer table is in its receiving position forengaging a pallet superposed upon thetransfer table.

14. A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism having arevers; ible progressively movable table for successively receivingblanks from a sheet forming mechanism, a delivery table toward which thereversible table moves for deposit of the blanks, and a tilting transfertable adapted for inclination in opposite directions to occupy receivingand delivering positions respectively in reference to said reversibleand delivery tables.

15. A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism having areversible progressively movable table for successively receiving blanksfrom sheet forming mechanism, a delivery table toward which thereversible table moves for deposit of the blanks, a tilting transfertable adapted for inclination in opposite directions to occupy receivingand delivering positions respectively in reference to said reversibleand 'delive y tables, and pallet engaging means operative when thetransfer table is in its receiving position. v

16..A. blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism havinga reversible progressively movable table for successively receivingblanks from a sheet forming mechanism, a delivery table toward which thereversible table moves for deposit of the blanks, a tilting transfertable adapted for inclination in opposite directions to occupy receivingand delivering positions respectively in reference to said reversibleand deliverytables, and an alternately op erative and inoperative palletholding means actuable by the transfer table.

17. A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism having areversible progressively movable table for successively receiving blanksfrom a sheet forming mechanism, a. delivery table toward which thereversible table moves for deposit of the blanks, a tilting transfertable adapted for inclination in opposite directions to occupy receivingand delivering positions respectively in reference to said reversibleand delivery tables, and a pallet engaging device disposed in operativerelation with the surface of the transfer table when the latter is inits receivingposition.

18. A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism having areversible progressively movable table for sun cessively receivingblanks from a sheet forming mechanism, a delivery table toward which thereversible tablc moves for deposit of the blanks, a tilting transfertable adapt ed for inclination inopposite directions to occupy receivingand delivering positions respectively in reference to said reversibleand delivery tables, and a pallet engaging device disposed in operativerelation with the surface of the transfer table during the movement of,the latter from its receiving towards its delivering position.

19. A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism having areversible table for arrangement in receiving rela tion with the outletof a sheet forming device, means for holding a pallet in contact withthe initially exposed surface of the blank, and a trip mechanismoperative to disengage the holding means at the limits of movement ofthe table.

20. A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism having areversible wheel supported table for receiving blanks from a sheetforming mechanism. normally operative pallet holding means for engaginga pallet superposed upon a blank during the movement of the table andtrip devices for disengaging the holding means at the limits of movementof the table.

21. A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism having areversible wheel supported table for movement between receiving anddelivery stations and normally active pallet holding clamps forengagement with apalletduring the movement of the pallet betweenstations and trip mechanism at the stations for actuating the clamp torelease the pallet.

22. A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism havingrespectively receiving and delivery stations and a progressively movableblank reversing means for transferring a blank from the former to thelatter, and consisting of a table and supporting wheel wherein theformer occupies a position substantially in. and throughout adiametrical plane of the latter.

28. A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism havingrespec-' tively receiving and delivery stations and blank reversingmeans for transferring blanks from the former to the latter andconsisting'of' a table and parallel co-aXial gear wheels wherein thetable is disposed substantially in a diametrical plane of said wheels.

24. A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism havingrespec tively receiving and delivery stations and Cir blank reversingmeans for transferring blanks from the former to the latter andconsisting of a table and parallel co-axial gear wheels wherein thetable is disposed substantially in a diametrical plane of said wheelsthe table being provided with an endless carrier apron.

A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism havingrespec tively receiving and delivery stations and blank reversing meansfor transferring blanks from the former to the latter and consisting ofa table and parallel eo-axial gear wheels wherein the table is disposedsubstantially in a diametrical plane of said wheels, the table beingprovided with an endless carri apron arrangedat a downward inclinationfrom. the plane of one wheel and to aid that of the other.

.46, it blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism havingrespectively receiving and delivery stations and blanks reversing meansfor transferring blanks from the former to the latter and consisting ofa table and parallel co-axial gear wheels wherein the table is disposedsubstantially in a diametrical plane of said wheels, the table beingprovided with an endless carrier apron arranged at a downwardinclination from its receiving toward its opposite ends.

27. A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism havingrespectively receiving and delivering stations provided with carriersand a wheel supported reversing table disposed in diametrical relationto its wheels and progressively movable into receiving and deliveryrelations alternately with said stations.

28. A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism havingrespectively receiving and delivery stations provided with carriersmovable in paths at right angles to each other and a wheel supportedreversible table supported in diametrical relation to its wheels andmovable progressively in a. fixed path in receiving and deliveryrelations respectively with said. stations.

29. A blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism havingreceiving and delivering stations provided with carriers and a wheelsupported reversing table disposed in diametrical relation to its wheelsand movable into receiving and delivery relations with said stations,the table at the delivery station being disposed at a downwardinclination toward its receiving end.

A blank transferring apparatus for sagger il orming mechanism havingreceiving and delivery stations provided with carriers and a wheelsupported reversing table disposed in diametrical relation to its wheelsand movable into receiving and delivery relati nis with said stations,the table at the delivery station being tilted to occupy a po-- sitionat a (.lownward inclination towards its receiving end.

3 A. blank transferring apparatus for sagger forming mechanism havingreceiving and delivery stations provided with carriers and a wheelsupported reversing table disposed in diainotrical relation to itswheels and movable, into receiving and delivery relations with saidstations, the table at the delivery station being tilted to occupy aposition at a downward inclination towards its receiving end, and saidtilted table being movable to its receiving position by said reversibletable.

In testimony whereof he affixes his signature.

FRANKLYN J. WOLFF.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent N0. 1,4523%, granted April17, 1923, upon the application of Franklyn J. VVolfi', of Trenton, NewJersey, for an improvement in Blank- Transfer Mechanisms forHugger-Making Machinvs, an error appears requiring correction asfollows: In the heading to the drawing. line 5. insert J N/mefiw-Shflpt1; Sheets 2 and 3, containing Figures 2', 3, -1 5, 6, and 9 would ppm ras follows as part of the Letters Patent} Apr. 17, 1923. 1,452,331

F. J. WOLFF BLANK 'TPfxTiFiFLi .JZIQ AJHISM IOH JLLCER MAKING MACHINESFiled May v, man :s Sheets-Sheet 2 Apr. 17, 1923. 1,452,331

F. J. WOLFF BQANh TEANSF'EH MECHANISM FOR SAGGER MAKING MACHINES FiledMay 7. 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 W and that the said Letters Patent shouldbe read with this correction therein that the same may cpnform to therecord of the case in the Patent Ofiice.

Sxgned and scaled thi 8th day uf May A. D., 1923.

[SEAL] KARL FENNINH,

Acting Cou'mn'ssionm' 0f Pufents.

